Caster.



E. ii. BAXTER.

CASTER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 24, 1916.

INVENTOR Edward ,Bfiax-ZE Patented Nov. 12, 1918.

l l I 1' Ill-Ill I 1 lllll Y E N R O T T A.

RS ca. Pumuvnm. waiulnr-wu i EDWARD BATES BAXTER. OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 12, 1918.

Application filed May 24, 1916. Serial No. 99,612.

To all whom it may concern: 1 1

Be it known that I, EDWARD B. BAXTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have in- Vent d certain new and useful Improvements in Casters, of which the following is a specification. This invention is a caster and has special reference to casters which are particularly adapted to be carried by hollow standards or posts of articles of furniture for constituting a non-frictional support therefor.

Another object of this invention is the production of a caster wherein a conical casing is provided, thus permitting the easing to be inserted into a hollow standard, although bearing balls are retained within the casing to constitute a non-frictional support for the caster.

Another object of this invention is the production of a caster wherein a conical casing is provided with an annular shoulder at its lower outer end, the shoulder being substantially triangular in cross section, although having a concaved upper surface and a convex lower surface, whereby a hollow shaft may rest upon the concaved surface, although the convex surface of the shoulder will present an even outer end for the casing which will prevent injury to articles engaging the same.

One practical form of construction and assembly of the present invention will be hereinafter described and is illustrated in the drawing, in which Figure 1 a vertical section through the casing. the bearing balls being shown in elevation, and

Fig. 2 is a sectional view through the casing, illustrating the same partly in elevation. the bearing balls being removed.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention about to be described, it will be seen that the casing 17 is substantially frusto-conical, since it tapers toward its upper end and is therefore larger at its lower end. This casing 17 is closed at its inner upper end and is also provided with a reinforcing rib 18 at this upper end.

The annular shoulder 19 is formed upon the casing 17 at the lower end thereof and it will be noted that this shoulder 19 is provided with a concaved upper surface 22 and a convex lower surface 23, for reasons to be hereinafter set forth.

The bearing balls 10 and 11 may be inmaterials,

retaining ring 12 may be screwed into en gagement with the inner lower end of the casing 17 which is internally threaded as at 20. Thus it will be seen that the ring 12 will positively hold the bearing balls 10 and 11 from being accidentally displaced. This ring 12 however is provided with a concaved surface 13, thus reducing frictional engagement with the ball 11.

When the device is in use, it may be easily inserted into the lower end of a hollow standard, as indicated in dotted lines at 21, and as the casing 17 has an unobstructed outer surface from the reinforcing rib 18 to the shoulder 19, it is obvious the action just referred to may be easily accomplished. The standard 21 which may be any article of furniture, such for instance, as a bed may rest upon the concaved surface 22 of the shoulder 19 and it will be noted that the convex surface of the shoulder will present a comparatively even surface at the lower end of the post, as it would extend evenly terposed within the casing 17 and thus the with the post. ,as shown clearly in the drawing. Therefore, if a person should happen to accidentally strike the lower end of the casing, there is no danger of the persons shoe or foot being accidentally injured by such engagement.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that a very simple and eilicient caster has been produced which is of a non-frictional nature and which may be easily in serted into the lower end of the hollow standard. It will further be noted that the standard will rest firmly upon the concaved surface of the shoulder, although the shoul der is so formed as to presentan even outer end for the casing to prevent injury to arti- 1 cles engaging the same.

The foregoing description and the draw ings have reference to what may be considered the preferred, or approved, form of my invention. It is to be understood that I may make such changes in construction and arrangement and combination of parts, dimensions. et cetera, as may prove expedient and fall within the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

As a new article of manufacture, a caster comprising a cast one-piece casing, said cas ing being frusto-conical in shape, thus taporing toward its upper inner end, the inner end of said casing being closed, an annular 10 shoulder, whereby shoulder formed externally upon said casing at the lower end thereof, the outer surface of said casing being unobstructed from the inner end thereof, to said shoulder, said shoulder being substantially triangular in cross section and having a concaved upper surface and a convex lower surface, whereby said casing may be placed in a hollow post, thus allowing the post to rest upon said the construction of the shoulder will present an even unobstructed outer end for the casing, and anti-friction means carried with said casing.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDWVARD BATES BAXTER.

Witnesses:

S. J. MCKINLEY,

O. BRYAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for live cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of I'atents. Washington, D. G. 

